Vale Hedley 'Brian' Taber 29 April 1940 - 21 July 2023

Cricket NSW is deeply saddened by the passing yesterday of former Australian and NSW wicketkeeper Brian Taber. He was 83.

Born in Wagga Wagga and raised in Wollongong, Taber played his entire career with the Gordon club.

He made his first-class debut wearing cap number 526 for NSW in the 1964/65 season and went on to play 129 first-class matches prior to his retirement in 1973/74.

Taber also captained NSW on a number of occasions between 1968/69 and 1972/73.

While he scored one first-class ton and eight half centuries, it was Taber’s wicketkeeping aplomb that he was known for.

Safe and calm under pressure, Taber was considered one of Australia’s greatest ever ‘keepers. He made his Test debut behind the stumps for Australia (cap 240) against South Africa in Johannesburg on December 23, 1966, finishing the match with seven catches and a stumping.

In all, Taber represented Australia on 16 occasions between 1966 and 1970, snaring 56 catches and making four stumpings. He also scored 353 runs at a tick over 16.

Following the completion of his playing career, Taber continued his passionate association with cricket, holding several coaching and managerial roles. He managed the Australian Under 19 men’s team on several occasions and the winner of the Player of the Tournament award at the National U/19 Championships is now awarded the Brian Taber Medal.

Known as ‘Tabsy’ or ‘Herbie’, Taber coached NSW and was a Blues selector for 24 years through the 1990’s and 2000’s, many as the chairman of selectors.

Taber was made a Life Member of CNSW in 1979 and inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2021.

Cricket NSW CEO Lee Germon called Taber ‘one of the most popular NSW and Australian players ever’,

“We are devastated by the passing of Brian Taber and send our condolences to his family and friends,” Germon said.

“His contribution to Australian cricket was immense, as a player, coach, manager and selector.

“Tabsy was universally loved for both his skill as a wicketkeeper and his character as a person.

“He was such a nice, genuine guy and he will be greatly missed by all.”